Men could be inadvertently damaging their chances of becoming a father by keeping a mobile phone in their trouser pocket, a new study suggests.

General view of a man using an iPhone mobile phone. Credit: Edward Smith/EMPICS Entertainment

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from mobiles negatively affected sperm quality, according to scientists at the University of Exeter, who also admitted further research was needed.

Previous studies have suggested that radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by the devices can have a detrimental effect on male fertility.

Dr Fiona Mathews, of the University of Exeter, who led the study, said: "This study strongly suggests that being exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from carrying mobiles in trouser pockets negatively affects sperm quality.

"This could be particularly important for men already on the borderline of infertility, and further research is required to determine the full clinical implications for the general population."

As mobile phones are a new and widespread technology central to our lives, carrying out the Scamp study is important in order to provide the evidence base with which to inform policy and through which parents and their children can make informed life choices.

By assessing the children in year seven and again in year nine we will be able to see how their cognitive abilities develop in relation to changing use of mobile phones and other wireless technologies.

Almost half of those surveyed said that if their mobile phone died they would only be able to remember three phone numbers - and more than 70% said they would give up having pudding after a meal in order to have a fully charged smartphone for a month.

Kevin Malinowski, a spokesman for mophie, said:

Millions of people rely on their smartphones daily to stay in touch with loved ones and do work on the move.

But all of these activities hinge on a single factor: having enough juice to keep the phones running.

A dead battery in a smartphone would cause more stress for nine out of 10 Britons, as daily activities hinge on a single factor "having enough juice to keep the phones running," says a report by smartphone case maker mophie.

Experts suggest people should resist the urge to go to bed with their phones. Credit: Dominic Lipinski /PA Wire

According to the research, 92% of British people would feel stressed if the battery in their smartphone ran out, 61% said they would become frustrated, with 25% saying they would feel panicked.

Experts have suggested people should resist the urge of taking their devices to bed, and try to have set unplugged periods during the week.

A video that calls on people to switch off their mobile phones and reduce their use of social media has gone viral. The five-minute film, called ‘Look Up’ was posted on YouTube on April 25 and already has more than 22 million views.

The film was created by Gary Turk who called it “a spoken word film for an online generation”. It aims to show how overusing phones and social media are having a negative effect on personal relationships.